Rhinolithiasis: a forgotten entity

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002 Jan;126(1):48-51. doi: 10.1067/mhn.2002.121018.

Abstract

Objective: To review the clinical presentation of patients with rhinoliths, which are calcareous concretions with an unclear pathogenesis.

Study design and setting: Using retrospective chart review we analyzed clinical, radiological, and demographic data as well as our diagnostic work-up and management of 8 patients.

Results: Most patients presented with nonspecific nasal complaints; most commonly, purulent rhinorrhea and nasal obstruction. The rhinolith was discovered incidentally in some patients.

Conclusion: Rhinoliths are rare and can have various clinical presentations. The treatment of choice is surgical removal.

Significance: A high index of suspicion is required for the diagnosis of such a forgotten entity.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Calcinosis / complications
  • Calcinosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Calcinosis / surgery
  • Calculi / chemistry
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / diagnosis
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / etiology
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Foreign Bodies / complications
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnostic imaging*
  • Foreign Bodies / surgery
  • Headache / diagnosis
  • Headache / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasal Obstruction / etiology
  • Nasopharyngeal Diseases / complications
  • Nasopharyngeal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Nasopharyngeal Diseases / surgery
  • Sinusitis / diagnosis
  • Sinusitis / etiology
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed